I'm looking into purchasing an OWF. I'm done using the indoor woodstove after a couple chimney fires, plugged chimneys filling my house with smoke, going up on the roof at 3am in a snow storm to unplug it, the mess, the bugs, and the dented knotty pine boards in the hallway when the girlfriend brings wood in to fill it.

The Central Boiler Classic 5036 is top of my list currently. There is a dealer 3 miles from work, so it's convenient. I'll be heating a 1200 sq. ft house, DHW, and a 1200 sq ft garage on weekends.

What are your opinions on this brand?
What brand would you recommend?
How much wood are you using a season?
How often do you have to fill it?

I've been using wood heat for 25 yrs. now and figure I saved enough money to purchase one. Looking at about $10,000 installing it myself.

I have a natures comfort nbc250 I run my forced air, my garage forced air an I heat all my hot water with it. My water heater is turned off.
I installed mine all myself. I paid around 9000$ total than made my own pipe.
So far in my life it is the best investment I've ever made, hands down.

I would say get the biggest you can afford just for a longer burn time with a bigger box.

I chose mine after doing research because it has a ash pan for one. So I don't need to shut it down to clean it. And I like the fact that my blower blowed air in through the ash pan which keeps ash ports clean and it burns from the bottom up instead of from the back forward or front to back. burns evenly which heats evenly.

I also went with a plate exchanger to heat my water instead of the tube style. With the tube you only have as much hot water as your tank will hold. With the plate I have hot water until I run out of fire.

I'm looking into purchasing an OWF. I'm done using the indoor woodstove after a couple chimney fires, plugged chimneys filling my house with smoke, going up on the roof at 3am in a snow storm to unplug it, the mess, the bugs, and the dented knotty pine boards in the hallway when the girlfriend brings wood in to fill it.

The Central Boiler Classic 5036 is top of my list currently. There is a dealer 3 miles from work, so it's convenient. I'll be heating a 1200 sq. ft house, DHW, and a 1200 sq ft garage on weekends.

What are your opinions on this brand?
What brand would you recommend?
How much wood are you using a season?
How often do you have to fill it?

I've been using wood heat for 25 yrs. now and figure I saved enough money to purchase one. Looking at about $10,000 installing it myself.

Thanks

I have the Central Boiler 5036, I've been running it for the past five years. It works awesome. If you are used to burning wood then you know you are fooling yourself if you think you are saving money. Sourcing, cutting, splitting, stacking, filling all that wood takes time. But if you are like me which I assume you are because you already heat with wood, the work you have to put into it is worth it.

Now I have found my stove runs best using split 18" or so wood. You can put full logs into it, however, I found I use less wood by burning split. I fill it two to four times a day, depending. I never fill it completely full, I only fill the front half of the burn box and I won't always fill it to the top, just a few logs or so. Again this comes down to experimenting with wood usage. I have found I use less wood filling it more times a day, than stuffing it and filling it once a day.

Wood usage also comes down to how cold it is outside. When it dips down to the single digits it defiantly burns more wood than does when its warmer. I heat the hot water, a 3800 sq house, and a 1400 sq shop. I also have a pool heater hooked to it to use in the summer. Any questions feel free to ask, and yes I would buy a central boiler again.

I have the Central Boiler 5036, I've been running it for the past five years. It works awesome. If you are used to burning wood then you know you are fooling yourself if you think you are saving money. Sourcing, cutting, splitting, stacking, filling all that wood takes time. But if you are like me which I assume you are because you already heat with wood, the work you have to put into it is worth it.

Now I have found my stove runs best using split 18" or so wood. You can put full logs into it, however, I found I use less wood by burning split. I fill it two to four times a day, depending. I never fill it completely full, I only fill the front half of the burn box and I won't always fill it to the top, just a few logs or so. Again this comes down to experimenting with wood usage. I have found I use less wood filling it more times a day, than stuffing it and filling it once a day.

Wood usage also comes down to how cold it is outside. When it dips down to the single digits it defiantly burns more wood than does when its warmer. I heat the hot water, a 3800 sq house, and a 1400 sq shop. I also have a pool heater hooked to it to use in the summer. Any questions feel free to ask, and yes I would buy a central boiler again.

How many cords of wood would you say that you have been using on an average year?

I looked at doing this some time ago, but don't have close access to a good supply of wood. We are planning on purchasing land and building in the future and I would like to have some wooded acreage and utilize a Wood Boiler.

I bought a Royal 7500 6 years ago when I bought my house. I heat 1800 square feet, and my wife likes it hot in the house (75). I installed mine by myself, and I only have 5000 into everything. I would say it's the best investment I made for my house. I load it twice a day, and burn whole logs, as long as I can fit them through the door. When it is below 20 degrees, I burn the most wood. I have never burned more than a face cord a week. I cut all of my own wood, and I have tons of farmers around me that beg me to clean out their fence rows.

I have the Central Boiler 5036, I've been running it for the past five years. It works awesome. If you are used to burning wood then you know you are fooling yourself if you think you are saving money. Sourcing, cutting, splitting, stacking, filling all that wood takes time. But if you are like me which I assume you are because you already heat with wood, the work you have to put into it is worth it.

Now I have found my stove runs best using split 18" or so wood. You can put full logs into it, however, I found I use less wood by burning split. I fill it two to four times a day, depending. I never fill it completely full, I only fill the front half of the burn box and I won't always fill it to the top, just a few logs or so. Again this comes down to experimenting with wood usage. I have found I use less wood filling it more times a day, than stuffing it and filling it once a day.

Wood usage also comes down to how cold it is outside. When it dips down to the single digits it defiantly burns more wood than does when its warmer. I heat the hot water, a 3800 sq house, and a 1400 sq shop. I also have a pool heater hooked to it to use in the summer. Any questions feel free to ask, and yes I would buy a central boiler again.

Yes, I agree about the saving money thing. My wood is not free although I own 40 acres with woods I still pay $3500/yr in taxes. The fact that I'm more self sufficient, do some mild four wheeling to get thru the woods. and just being outside in my own woods that I worked my ass off to get is a great feeling and well worth it.

How many cords of wood would you say that you have been using on an average year?

I looked at doing this some time ago, but don't have close access to a good supply of wood. We are planning on purchasing land and building in the future and I would like to have some wooded acreage and utilize a Wood Boiler.

I keep telling hancho, if you can dedicate approximately 1/2 acre to growing hybrid poplar trees you can grow enough wood to keep your house heated.

Of course you will need a 1-2 year lead time to let the trees start to grow big enough to cut down.

THere is plenty of info out there, but the idea is start with 500 trees, wait until the base is 4" diameter, cut half the trees down and use for your first years firewood. Replenish those 250 trees.

Following that you shouldn't need to replenish often at all, but you will at least have the room to do so if you so choose. Obviously as the trees get longer and larger in diameter you will not have to take nearly as many of them down.

I grew up with a wood burner, and I am heating my house this winter with wood. It has saved me in two months approximately $75-85 each month. My heating costs previously were not high, but I like Hancho enjoy cutting up the wood, splitting, burning things, the exrercise I get from it, etc.

That said, If I had a bit more space between my house and my neighbors there would be zero question about it I would have an outdoor wood burner. I have shopped them and so far I am pretty sold on the central boiler that hancho has and the OP is considering. My next house will certainly have one.

I have a Central 6048, rated at 500,000 BTU (no clue how they come up wit ha rating, too many variables)
I highly recommend one. I use mine to heat the house, hot water, 32x48x12 shop, and pool in the summer. It is an excuse to play with hotrod saws, have a dumptruck, and an iron mule.
My situation is a little unique though. My shop where I work is here at home, and a good friend has a tree service. He calls, I haul. If I had a real job, and had to buy wood with actual cash, things may be different.

Central boiler heat rating is at peak output
When wood burns down btu output goes down
I chose 6048 over the 5036
For approx. $2000 extra you will get longer burn times due to the larger water capacity
Out of all the brands i researched it has the largest wAter cap.
Initial startup takes more wood/time but once up to temp it doesnt take anymore energy to maintain water temp
Im looking at 24-36hr burn time heating comparably same sq footage as mentioned above
My .02

Oh yeah
Burning seasoned wood is way more efficient and will reduce usage greatly
I built a 12x30 wood shed for my wood
Fyi I have 11000 in mine
Heating hot tub and hot water for most of the year
When it gets warm enough and i no longer need heat in my house I can put wood in the CB every 4 days

How many cords of wood would you say that you have been using on an average year?

I looked at doing this some time ago, but don't have close access to a good supply of wood. We are planning on purchasing land and building in the future and I would like to have some wooded acreage and utilize a Wood Boiler.

tough to say as I don't really count them...if I had to guess maybe 12-30 depending on the year and type of wood. I burn everything in that thing, seasoned or fresh cut.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhicks1017

I bought a Royal 7500 6 years ago when I bought my house. I heat 1800 square feet, and my wife likes it hot in the house (75). I installed mine by myself, and I only have 5000 into everything. I would say it's the best investment I made for my house. I load it twice a day, and burn whole logs, as long as I can fit them through the door. When it is below 20 degrees, I burn the most wood. I have never burned more than a face cord a week. I cut all of my own wood, and I have tons of farmers around me that beg me to clean out their fence rows.

$5000 won't even touch my stove!

Quote:

Originally Posted by GearDrive

Yes, I agree about the saving money thing. My wood is not free although I own 40 acres with woods I still pay $3500/yr in taxes. The fact that I'm more self sufficient, do some mild four wheeling to get thru the woods. and just being outside in my own woods that I worked my ass off to get is a great feeling and well worth it.

I'm right with you

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92FleXj

I have an addiction to chainsaws and splitters, wagons and tractors.. That's the real reason I do it.. (Don't tell my wife)

^^^best part about heating with wood!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kickstand

I keep telling hancho, if you can dedicate approximately 1/2 acre to growing hybrid poplar trees you can grow enough wood to keep your house heated.

Of course you will need a 1-2 year lead time to let the trees start to grow big enough to cut down.

THere is plenty of info out there, but the idea is start with 500 trees, wait until the base is 4" diameter, cut half the trees down and use for your first years firewood. Replenish those 250 trees.

Following that you shouldn't need to replenish often at all, but you will at least have the room to do so if you so choose. Obviously as the trees get longer and larger in diameter you will not have to take nearly as many of them down.

I grew up with a wood burner, and I am heating my house this winter with wood. It has saved me in two months approximately $75-85 each month. My heating costs previously were not high, but I like Hancho enjoy cutting up the wood, splitting, burning things, the exrercise I get from it, etc.

That said, If I had a bit more space between my house and my neighbors there would be zero question about it I would have an outdoor wood burner. I have shopped them and so far I am pretty sold on the central boiler that hancho has and the OP is considering. My next house will certainly have one.

I keep telling hancho, if you can dedicate approximately 1/2 acre to growing hybrid poplar trees you can grow enough wood to keep your house heated.

Of course you will need a 1-2 year lead time to let the trees start to grow big enough to cut down.

THere is plenty of info out there, but the idea is start with 500 trees, wait until the base is 4" diameter, cut half the trees down and use for your first years firewood. Replenish those 250 trees.

Following that you shouldn't need to replenish often at all, but you will at least have the room to do so if you so choose. Obviously as the trees get longer and larger in diameter you will not have to take nearly as many of them down.

I grew up with a wood burner, and I am heating my house this winter with wood. It has saved me in two months approximately $75-85 each month. My heating costs previously were not high, but I like Hancho enjoy cutting up the wood, splitting, burning things, the exrercise I get from it, etc.

That said, If I had a bit more space between my house and my neighbors there would be zero question about it I would have an outdoor wood burner. I have shopped them and so far I am pretty sold on the central boiler that hancho has and the OP is considering. My next house will certainly have one.

We heat 2 homes that are 300 feet apart with our Central boiler 6048. I used to sell and install Central boiler units for my bro-in-law, who was the first Central Boiler dealer in our area. You can go on for hours discussing, but outdoor wood boilers are almost always said to be "the best investment I've ever made" Sure everyone has their own favorite brand, but as long as the unit is built well, you cant go wrong.

We heat 2 homes that are 300 feet apart with our Central boiler 6048. I used to sell and install Central boiler units for my bro-in-law, who was the first Central Boiler dealer in our area. You can go on for hours discussing, but outdoor wood boilers are almost always said to be "the best investment I've ever made" Sure everyone has their own favorite brand, but as long as the unit is built well, you cant go wrong.

How does that work if you sell one house? Lol I'd charge them for heat!